Lichaj is normally a right-back, but for this he would be the second option at left-back. I trust him over Edgar Castillo. I can't put in Stuart Holden, because of the prolonged injury situation. Wondolowski and GAM could replace Gomez depending on form.

re: Best USMNT Roster For Hexagonal (Posted on 12/4/12 at 10:59 pm to thenry712)

I think I would put in Edu over Besler as a defender, but I doubt either would see much playing time. Not entirely sure of the formation, but I could go with a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 or whatever. This is probably our best 11 IMO.

re: Best USMNT Roster For Hexagonal (Posted on 12/4/12 at 11:35 pm to Harry Pitts)

Playing two true defensive mids just invites opposing pressure. It's what killed us in Jamaica on a shitty field. Who knows what the conditions will be in Honduras in February? If Williams is playing, Jones should not be on the field and vice versa. Bradley acting as a deep lying playmaker is enough defensive cover.

I also have no faith in Clarence Goodson at this point. That penalty he gave up in Russia was moronic and in a long line of recent defensive gaffes.

I'd much prefer us to play with two true center forwards to allow Jozy to get on the ball more often. Unfortunately Klinsmann prefers a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 which leave Altidore isolated without constant service. If we had a midfield trio that could retain possession with simple passing (i.e. not Jones and Edu), then a 4-3-3 would work.

Ideal 4-2-3-1:

Howard

Johnson-Cameron-Gonzalez-Cherundolo

Williams-Bradley

Dempsey-Kljestan (Zusi or Corona)-Donovan

Altidore

Having Bradley in the hole and a confident playmaking center mid like Kljestan (or Zusi or Corona) would solve the black hole that has developed between our midfield and Altidore recently. Watch Kljestan's assist in the Anderlecht game today. It's a pinpoint curving through pass; quality totally missing from our games recently.

re: Best USMNT Roster For Hexagonal (Posted on 12/5/12 at 7:47 am to thenry712)

Gomez is pretty much a lock and rightfully so, he's been easily our best striker lately.

Overall I like the roster. I think GAM will make it and I'd probably take him over Boyd at this point because of his ability to play on the wing if we need him (I'm basically taking the view that we can't rely on Landon at this point). I wouldn't even be against Beasley being included to give a little bit of left-sided width off the bench, but that's not likely to happen.

re: Best USMNT Roster For Hexagonal (Posted on 12/5/12 at 8:21 am to Crede15)

If we went with a 4-2-3-1, where would y'all prefer to see Bradley? I like the stability and his passing ability out of the back (he can certainly start an attack better than Jones and Williams), but he's proven time and time again that he's dangerous up top (Guate, Scotland, Russia, Slovenia, Mexico, etc)

re: Best USMNT Roster For Hexagonal (Posted on 12/5/12 at 9:01 am to cwil177)

If we set out with 3 center mids and Bradley is the most attack minded it's an issue for me. Bradley has been great going forward since his Herenveen days but he tends to sit deeper with the US and prefer to start attacks/make late runs out of midfield. I remember back in the 'veen days he was knocking goals in for fun with his club and some were calling for him to play behind the striker(s), but it was like he was determined to play defensively under his dad.

re: Best USMNT Roster For Hexagonal (Posted on 12/5/12 at 9:01 am to cwil177)

To me he could still be box to box as a CDM. He has a pretty mean long shot. Plus he is great as disrupting the attack on the other end. Deuce is best in the withdrawn attacker role in that formation IMO.